The Omicron surge and return to work/school requirements have triggered a rapid increase in demand for COVID-19 testing. While we’d love to accommodate all testing requests through CCP’s centralized testing center in Latham, we simply do not have the resources to keep up with current demand. Therefore, we are putting some restrictions in place, at least for now.
Travel testing not available at CCP’s Testing Center, for now.
Effective immediately, CCP’s Latham testing center will not perform COVID testing required for travel only. We must prioritize our symptomatic or exposed patients and pre-procedure testing.
Luckily, two State-operated COVID-19 testing sites opened in Albany this week. We encourage you to use these alternative testing options for travel testing:
- Crossgates Mall (Former Ruby Tuesday location) – 1 Crossgates Mall Road, Albany, NY 12203. Hours of Operation: Monday – Saturday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Appointments can be scheduled here: https://www.gogettested.com/
- SUNY Albany – beginning Jan 7th – Colonial dining Hall, 1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222, 8:30am-4:00pm Appointments can be scheduled here.
Other testing options such as local pharmacies, find locations here: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you
Our Latham testing center continues to test CCP patients with symptoms, exposures, or for pre-procedure purposes by appointment only. No walk ins. You must first call your primary care practitioner for an order, and then you must schedule an appointment to be tested. COVID, flu, strep and/or RSV testing can be performed at the testing center. You will not be tested without an order from your CCP provider and an appointment. You will be given an exact time to go for your appointment, and when you arrive, you will call/text a number to let us know you’re there. You’re in and out.
A note about Latham Urgent Care – 711 Troy-Schenectady Road, Suite 102
Our Latham Urgent Care will see asymptomatic patients who need testing (including for travel purposes) on a walk-in basis, but there will likely be a wait due to demand. They are prioritizing sick or injured patients. You’ve heard this many times before, Urgent Care is not a testing center, and every patient must be assessed during a visit before being tested. Please don’t expect to just walk in and be tested immediately. You need to see the provider. Urgent Care will contact you with your test results when ready.
PLEASE DO NOT COME INTO OUR OFFICES IF COVID POSITIVE. COVID positive patients will be turned away and directed to call their doctor’s offices for instruction. Urgent Care does not have the space to isolate COVID positive patients and close rooms off. They are unable to listen to COVID positive patients’ lungs or perform X-rays on positive patients. They will also not do confirmatory testing on patients that had a COVID positive at-home test. COVID positive patients should remain home and call their doctor’s office for care and instruction.
Home testing confirmations not always needed:
While the lab based NAA COVID test is the gold standard for testing, most counties accept positive at-home test results. For a diagnosis of COVID, a positive at-home test can be considered positive. If you have symptoms, a negative at-home test should be confirmed with a lab based NAA COVID test. We encourage you to visit your county’s website or contact your child’s school district for specific information and requirements they may have.
Please note, if you call your primary care office for an out of work/school note, your provider may elect to require lab confirmations even for at-home positive tests. This is at the discretion of your provider, and testing can be provided at our central testing facility in Latham as soon as possible based on availability of appointments.
We will get through this COVID surge with some diligence, patience, understanding – and precautions! Remember, wear your mask (over your mouth AND nose). Get your vaccine series and booster when possible. Continue to follow universal precautions to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
This message was sent to patients of CCP who have an email on file with our offices.